Sugar Addict needs support
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LowCarb4Me2016 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »LowCarb4Me2016 wrote: »So caffeine addiction isn't a thing now?
Technically, I think it's a dependency, not an addiction. It definitely can create a physical dependency that you will have (mild) physical withdrawal symptoms from.
On the other hand, alcohol CAN create a physical dependency, but that is not what determines alcohol addiction, and many, many alcoholics (or alcohol addicts) quit drinking without having serious withdrawal symptoms. (But people who quit should be aware that it can be life threatening to just stop drinking depending on their patterns. I did this after patterns that should have made me consider medical advice/supervision, it was unpleasant but I was okay, it was probably dumb.) The main issue for most alcoholics is much less a physical dependency than with quitting caffeine, but alcoholism fits the definition for addiction and caffeine dependency doesn't.Then there is nicotine, which is considered an addiction yet has another set of withdrawal issues entirely.
Nicotine probably could be considered both, but it definitely has a physical dependency element.
Sugar does not have a physical dependency element in that sense, and does not lead to physical withdrawal symptoms. (We know what causes keto flu, and it is not the same thing as withdrawal, and usually people talking about "withdrawal from sugar" aren't keto and are consuming plenty of food that breaks down to sugar in the body.)
However, that sugar does not create a physical dependence does not mean that it cannot be an addiction. I think eating addiction is probably more accurate, and it requires more than merely having trouble moderating some food, although it might be a continuum. I've seen interviews of some morbidly obese food addicts who I do think were every bit as addicted as an alcoholic, and I think binge eating disorder seems at least somewhat the same thing.
I also would agree with:Daddy78230 wrote: »I've quit smoking before, many, many times, before finally quitting several years ago. I've also had to cut the majority of my sugar and carbs from my diet due to health reasons. I would not say it's the same level, but it has a lot parallels. There's the habit and routine, the pleasurable associations...
I think this is because a huge part of quitting a bad habit IS these kinds of things, and an addiction is, among other things, a habit.
I don't really think it matters to the advice given whether one actually thinks it is an addiction or not, unless one decides that (a) it must be, and (b) that means it has to be removed from the diet entirely (which becomes a problem if you define it as sugar unless one is up for keto, I guess (which doesn't remove it entirely, but close enough perhaps), and I don't think that's the only or even the obvious first step for someone who thinks they have a problem moderating sweet things. (I would recommend to someone who thinks she has an addiction to alcohol that she consider quitting.)
Not really arguing just considering on this. Didn't psuLemon state that the body depends on sugar naturally? So if the physical dependency is already there its possible it is stronger for some people than others, perhaps leading to a more addictive like state.
in that case you can get addicted to water too...5 -
I have done what you have in the past and went cold turkey with the sugar, and I ended up binge eating and gaining all my weight back. So now I just have smaller amounts. I won't buy a whole family size block of Cadbury's chocolate, a whole pack of tim tams, a whole bag of fun-size mars bars and say 'oh I will just have a small amount each day'. No. Doesn't work for me.
What I will do is say, buy one mars bar or a kit kat or a small ice-cream. Sit and eat and enjoy. I also like diet hot chocolates, fruit and sometimes diet yoghurt with no sugar.1 -
Another MFPer recommended this video. Although the focus is on carbs v fat, midway through there is a brain scan that is quite enlightening. https://proteinpower.com/drmike/2017/03/11/dr-david-ludwig-high-carb-vs-low-carb-vs-slow-carb-diets/
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Not in a calorie deficit of maintenance intake though. Don't buy into all the hype. People like Ludwig, Fong, etc. are majoring in the minors. Sugar isn't the issue of why people are obese or severely overweight. It's over consumption of calories.
If sugar was the MAIN reason, then you'd have to explain why other countries in the world who buy and consume more sugar than the US don't have the same obesity issues. Many industrialized countries have sugar laden products especially in Asia.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Anytime you eat, your body will store fat/nutrients. You don't just need insulin. The same thing occurs with Acylation Stimulating Protein and Glucose Dependent Insulintropic Pepetide.
Net fat storage is driven off of energy balance regardless of the type of calorie.0 -
You may benefit from eating small meals every few hours. I did it for a different reason, but one of the benefits that came with it was I had no desire to eat sweets or overeat anything for that matter. It helps manage blood sugar. If I do treat myself to a sweet treat, I am able to control my urge to binge on them. I might just have a spoon full of ice cream and put the rest back. Getting enough chromium, magnesium, vitamin b3, omega-3, and biotin will help with blood sugar as well.2
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bettersusan wrote: »Sugar [...] is hard on our livers and kidneys, and I already have a rare, autoimmune liver disease.
Did your autoimmune disease specialist tell you that about sugar?0 -
Now THIS is good advice.beatyfamily1 wrote: »You may benefit from eating small meals every few hours. I did it for a different reason, but one of the benefits that came with it was I had no desire to eat sweets or overeat anything for that matter. It helps manage blood sugar. If I do treat myself to a sweet treat, I am able to control my urge to binge on them. I might just have a spoon full of ice cream and put the rest back. Getting enough chromium, magnesium, vitamin b3, omega-3, and biotin will help with blood sugar as well.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
0 -
LowCarb4Me2016 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »LowCarb4Me2016 wrote: »So caffeine addiction isn't a thing now?
Technically, I think it's a dependency, not an addiction. It definitely can create a physical dependency that you will have (mild) physical withdrawal symptoms from.
On the other hand, alcohol CAN create a physical dependency, but that is not what determines alcohol addiction, and many, many alcoholics (or alcohol addicts) quit drinking without having serious withdrawal symptoms. (But people who quit should be aware that it can be life threatening to just stop drinking depending on their patterns. I did this after patterns that should have made me consider medical advice/supervision, it was unpleasant but I was okay, it was probably dumb.) The main issue for most alcoholics is much less a physical dependency than with quitting caffeine, but alcoholism fits the definition for addiction and caffeine dependency doesn't.Then there is nicotine, which is considered an addiction yet has another set of withdrawal issues entirely.
Nicotine probably could be considered both, but it definitely has a physical dependency element.
Sugar does not have a physical dependency element in that sense, and does not lead to physical withdrawal symptoms. (We know what causes keto flu, and it is not the same thing as withdrawal, and usually people talking about "withdrawal from sugar" aren't keto and are consuming plenty of food that breaks down to sugar in the body.)
However, that sugar does not create a physical dependence does not mean that it cannot be an addiction. I think eating addiction is probably more accurate, and it requires more than merely having trouble moderating some food, although it might be a continuum. I've seen interviews of some morbidly obese food addicts who I do think were every bit as addicted as an alcoholic, and I think binge eating disorder seems at least somewhat the same thing.
I also would agree with:Daddy78230 wrote: »I've quit smoking before, many, many times, before finally quitting several years ago. I've also had to cut the majority of my sugar and carbs from my diet due to health reasons. I would not say it's the same level, but it has a lot parallels. There's the habit and routine, the pleasurable associations...
I think this is because a huge part of quitting a bad habit IS these kinds of things, and an addiction is, among other things, a habit.
I don't really think it matters to the advice given whether one actually thinks it is an addiction or not, unless one decides that (a) it must be, and (b) that means it has to be removed from the diet entirely (which becomes a problem if you define it as sugar unless one is up for keto, I guess (which doesn't remove it entirely, but close enough perhaps), and I don't think that's the only or even the obvious first step for someone who thinks they have a problem moderating sweet things. (I would recommend to someone who thinks she has an addiction to alcohol that she consider quitting.)
Not really arguing just considering on this. Didn't psuLemon state that the body depends on sugar naturally? So if the physical dependency is already there its possible it is stronger for some people than others, perhaps leading to a more addictive like state.
I think he meant the body needs it, not that the body is dependent on it in an addictive manner. The body needs water, too, you're not going to say the body is addictive to water. Needing it to survive and being addicted are two different things.0 -
I buy bags of frozen berries instead. Has been working great.0
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